We were in two minds whether to cancel today's event but we're glad we didn't - it's been a great adventure and a lot of fun.
We'd like to thank (Big) Phil for attending on his Kawasaki Versys. Jane and I used our Ulysses.
We met as planned at the Little Chef, Newby, and then visited the White Scar Caves, just above Ingleton. All three of us wanted to take a tour of the caves so we decided to do this before having lunch.
The guided tour through the caves takes approx. 80 minutes. The section that's accessible to the general public is ½ mile long and at its deepest point, 330 feet underground. To guard against injury we were issued with rather fetching hard hats. The first part of the tour takes you past an underground waterfall and then though various tunnels, walking on grids above streams which were flowing quite fast because of the recent heavy rainfall. The tunnels can be a bit tight in places and there's a few sections where you have to walk doubled up. There's also a section with 84 steps to negotiate. The tour ends in a large cavern and is like something out of science fiction film - strangely beautiful, or beautifully strange, depending on your point of view. It's a fascinating experience and one which we can recommend if you're ever in the area.
Back on the surface and lunch beckoned - we were ready for some coffee and cooked sandwiches after our 'expedition' underground. As we made our way back to the bikes a plane flew past very low and then did a few display circuits above Ingleton. It was a Spitfire - which certainly made my day!
We left the White Scar Caves for a mini tour of the Yorkshire Dales, travelling through Hawes and Sedbergh, then onto Devils Bridge. Approaching Casterton on the A683, north of Devils Bridge, we ran into a heavy downpour. We could see it was sunny ahead and only had a few miles to go so didn't bother stopping. Riders coming towards us were warning of danger ahead, which we thought was a speed trap in Casterton. It turned out to be a flash flood on the bridge leading into the village. It was about 2½ feet deep and even though we rode through it at walking pace, it created a lot of spray - much to Jane's amusement. We stopped on the other side of the bridge to take a few pictures. Jane swapped pillion seats so she could go back and do it again on Phil's bike.
Back in warm sunshine at Devils Bridge we dried out a few damp patches while watching the bikes coming and going.
Funny how things turn out, isn't it? An event we thought was going to be a waste of time became something really quite good. An excellent day out.
Jane - Miss Hard Hat 2009....
Strangely beautiful, or beautifully strange...
Phil and Jane go for a paddle, flash flood at Casterton...
Phil - Mr Damp Patch 2009...
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Chris & Jane Jessop
Founders of UKBEG April 1998
www.ukbuellgroup.co.uk
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Work getting in the way of a good time yet again but I've got to earn a crust occasionally 
Come on CJ how can you let a little rain get in the way of a good ride,
all the way and if not well there is always that trusty old waterproof suit and aqua boots 
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